Help Needed. 

Ahead of the new season, we are reaching out to the badminton community for volunteers to our junior set up. It takes an army to make the junior matches and training happen, any amount of support you can provide is greatly received.
Example responsibilities include coordinating transport for away matches, helping with player registration and uploading results, tracking invoices and equipment costs and liaising with leagues, parents and the junior committee; but we are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers so there are plenty other areas we could get you involved in!
If you are interested in lending a hand (however big or small) please contact Mel Allsop (Wiltshire County Badminton Secretary) at allsopmelanie@gmail.com.

Here's to a great season!

BE sanctioned tournaments.

All start at 09.00 and must be booked through the BE website, all those players who attend will either need a season long multiple event 'compete license' at around £15.00 from Badminton England or will have to purchase a single event 'compete license'  on the day for about £7.00.

A great start to the year. 

Wilts first team is playing in div 1 this season after winning div 2 last season. Our first weekend played at Bath Uni.  
The team started as it finished last year winning both the opening matches by a large margin, although the results do not reflect how close the matches were.
In the morning we played Dorset 1st team. 4 matches went to 3 ends, but we won 3 of them. Final score: 10-1.
In the afternoon we played Devon 1st. Lots of close games, 4 matches went to 3 ends. We won the match 9-2.

A great start to the year.

Our next weekend is scheduled for January away in Harlow.

Team: Riya Tarar, Yashica Racharla, Claire Gwilliam, Yashica Earla, Jon MacDonald, Matt Jenkins, Andy Jones, Simon Woodhouse. 

In 2024, Steve Howard's contributions to Wiltshire badminton were celebrated with a lifetime membership to the Wiltshire Badminton Association. The award was presented by John Earney, recognizing Steve's dedicated service to the sport within the county. 

Wilts first team travelled to Harlow in Essex last weekend to play the 2 top teams from that county. 

Tom Marshall made his first team debut as a late substitute for Simon W. 

In the morning we played their second team and started really well. Jon M, Matt J, Yashica R and Yashica E all winning their singles. 4-0 up. Essex got their revenge winning all 4 level doubles. All level into the mixed ,but we only managed to win one of them and lost the match 5-6. 

In the afternoon we played their first team with a similar story. We won all four singles and lost all 4 level doubles. This time however Jon M / Yashica E and Tom M / Bex G both won their mixed to clinch the match 6-5. 

We are now just 1 point behind Middlesex at the top of the table. 

Team: Yashica Racharla, Claire Gwilliam, Yashica Earla, Bex Grainger, Jon MacDonald, Matt Jenkins, Andy Jones, Tom Marshall. 

The O50s had a very successful season again this year winning their division for the 2nd year
running (in a division of 4). They attended the finals weekend in Birmingham on the 26th and 27th April and had some great games against the winning teams from the other areas of England.
Thanks to Nicky for looking after this team again this season.

Helping improving players to compete with confidence - sharpen their movement, hitting, and tactical awareness on court
Wanting to better embed their technical coaching in a tactical framework
Where: Five Rivers Leisure Centre, Hulse Road, St Paul's, Salisbury, SP1 3NR
When: 13th & 14th September 2025 | 10:00–17:00
Helping beginner players understand the rules and tactics of the game in a fun and engaging way

What’s covered:

Singles & Doubles Specific Movement & Hitting Technique
Advanced Hitting Skills
Tactical Themes in the Modern Game

Who can attend?

This weekend is for UKCC Level 2 Club Coaches / L2 Generic Award / Coach Part 1 / Elementary Coaches

What to bring:

Sportswear & racket
Notepad/tablet
Packed lunch & drinks
How much? £100 Badminton England Members | £120 Non-Members
Deadline to book: 5 September 2025 (early booking advised)

Register now:

Book here
Questions? Contact coaching@badmintonengland.co.uk | 01908 268400 (Coach Education)

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At the AGM in May our Social Media Officer stepped down and we now have a vacancy.  Responsibilities include posting regularly on social media (mainly Instagram currently) and our new website.  This doesn't mean that the SMO needs to do all of the posting personally, we are hoping to find someone that can co-ordinate and organise who posts what.  For example, Tony Winslow, Gillian Scott and other competitions, it just needs to be someone that is attending, whether playing or not.  Likewise for senior team match updates and results.  

The WCBA committee meets  in July, October, January and April with the AGM in May.  Meetings are in Devizes but can be joined using Teams so not everyone needs to travel.  Our next committee meeting is July 14th but if that's too soon or not convenient, don't let that put you off.  If anyone is interested and wants to know more, please contact secretary@wcba.org.uk

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Ready to test your skills on the court? Enter the Wiltshire Junior Restricted Badminton Tournament, an excellent opportunity for young players to compete and improve their game in a supportive and competitive environment. Don't miss your chance to be part of the action.

You can find the entry form and more details here:

Very well done to everybody who played in the Wilts Restricted Tournament on 21 September, including new and aspiring Wiltshire players.  The day was long and many snacks were eaten!  

Winners and runners up in every category were as follows: 

Girls Doubles

Girls Singles

Boys Doubles

Boys Singles (Open Cat)

Pictured below L to R:  Aarti Raghuvanshi (2nd) and Nihira Racharla (Winner) Girls U18 Singles 

The recent Wiltshire senior restricted concluded with Yachica Racharla and Saahen Shetty taking the  Ladies and Men's Singles titles respectively.

Shetty secured his Men's Singles title in dominant fashion, defeating Robert Patience in straight games with a score of 21-8, 21-10. The Ladies Singles final saw an exciting face-off with Yachica Racharla overpowering Yashica Earla 21-9, 21-19, capping a strong tournament performance.

Racharla had an exceptional outing, walking away with a treble of titles on the day. Following her singles victory, she teamed up with Riya Tarar to win the Ladies Doubles in a tense three-game battle, and later partnered with Jon McDonald for a narrow victory in the Mixed Doubles final, which finished 21-18, 21-18.

Are you passionate about badminton and ready to help develop new players? We are currently seeking interest from individuals in the Mid Wilts area who would like to attend a Level 1 Badminton Coaching Course. This is the perfect entry point for players, parents, and volunteers, providing the fundamental knowledge and skills required to be an effective Assistant Coach. If you are keen to step up and make a difference on court, please email welfare@wcba.org.uk

Thank you to a vigilant parent for the correction to the U12 Girls and U12 Boys results which were posted a few weeks ago. 

Nandu Padmaraj and Emily Vaughan (listed as winners in the U12 GIrls Doubles) were in fact the winners of the U12 OPEN category.  

The U12 Girls was won by Emma Ovenden and Nirvaana Vushkamalla, with previously unmentioned Aya Harish Kumar and Selina Allwin being the runners up.

WCBA are looking for a new Junior Co-Ordinator to manage the county junior teams and their training.  Geoff Mascall has been doing a great job for the last 8 years but now feels that it is time for him to take a step back and we are looking for someone else to take over the reins from the end of this season.  Without someone to take over the role, we will no longer be able to run the county junior teams so please do think about it.

The role is voluntary.  Geoff already has support but we are always looking for more volunteers to assist so that the work involved doesn't fall to a small group of people.

If anyone is interested and wants to know more, please contact John Earney ( chairman@wcba.org.uk) or Mel Allsop (secretary@wcba.org.uk)

The first team travelled to the Middlesex Dome for their first weekend of the season.

The first match was against Kent 2.

Jon and Saheen (returning to the side after missing all last season with an injury) won their singles in straight games.

Both Yasichas did likewise in their singles.

In the open doubles both pairs of  Jon / Saheen and Simon / Henry won in 3 ends.

In the Women’s Doubles the Yashicas lost in 2 ends. Making her debut Sophie played with Riya and also lost in 2 ends.

In the mixed Jon / Yashica E won in straight games, but Henry / Riya and Simon / Sophie lost.

A great start to the season.

In the afternoon they played Middlesex 2.

This could have gone either way. 3 -1 up after the singles. 3 – 3 after the level doubles. 5-4 up after first mixed. But lost last 2 mixed to lose the match 5-6.

At the end of the weekend they lie third in the table behind Berks 1 and Middlesex 2.

Don't they all look good in their new kit. 

If you want to look fab too and would like to buy a shirt, please email Juniors@WCBA.org.uk for more info

Wiltshire U17s produced a composed and competitive performance against Avon, demonstrating strong technical ability and teamwork across all disciplines in a high-quality fixture.

In the singles, Joe Hackney delivered an excellent performance in what was his first county appearance. He showed good tactical awareness and composure, constructing points patiently and responding well to pressure in a hard-fought match. His performance was particularly encouraging given the occasion and level of competition.

The boys’ doubles was played at a high intensity, with the Wiltshire pairing showing strong communication and effective court coverage. Connal, also making his county debut, adapted well to the pace of play, working confidently with his partner and contributing to a solid and disciplined performance. The pair applied consistent pressure and made good decisions in key moments.

The girls’ doubles also stood out, with strong teamwork and resilience on display. The Wiltshire pair communicated well, remained positive throughout long rallies and were effective in both attack and defence, reflecting good preparation and match awareness.

Overall, Wiltshire showed encouraging progress across the match, with players demonstrating commitment, focus and a positive team ethos throughout.

Coach’s comment:

“This was a very pleasing team performance. Several players stepped up well, including Joe and Connal in their first county matches. The attitude, effort and teamwork shown by the whole squad were excellent, and there are many positives to take forward.”

We are proud to announce that Natalie Wong (aka Spoonie!) has passed her Level 2 Coaching Course, graduating top of the class.  Natalie achieved a very high result, in an assessment where five of the seven candidates failed to achieve the high standard required.  She was even offered employment by her tutor, such was the level of her achievement!

Wiltshire is very fortunate to have Natalie coaching with Steve Hulbert, they're a credit to Wilshire Junior Badminton.

Wiltshire U15s hosted Avon in a home county fixture and, despite a 13–7 defeat, produced a competitive and encouraging performance across the match.

The team competed well in singles, doubles and mixed events, pushing Avon in many closely fought games and showing great resilience throughout. The final score did not fully reflect the effort and quality shown by the Wiltshire players.

The match was especially significant as Frank, Tobias, Nirvanna and Aya all made their county debuts. Each player approached their first county match with confidence and determination, gaining valuable experience and contributing positively to the team performance.

Wiltshire players showed strong teamwork, positive attitudes and excellent support for one another, creating a great atmosphere throughout the fixture.

Final Score: Wiltshire 7 – 13 Avon (Wiltshire score listed first)

Coaches’ Comment:

"very proud of everyone today. Despite the result, the team competed brilliantly, showed great character and supported each other throughout. A really positive performance, especially from our debut players.”

Congratulations to Wiltshire’s U17 squad (photo below!), who produced an excellent all-round performance to secure a 14–6 victory over Gloucestershire in a highly competitive fixture. The match featured long rallies, close scores, and impressive resilience from both teams, but Wiltshire’s consistency across all disciplines ultimately proved the difference.

From the opening rubbers, the Wiltshire players showed confidence and focus, settling quickly into their games. Mixed doubles provided a positive start, with composed serving and sharp net play helping to establish early momentum. This set the tone for the rest of the match and gave the team belief going into the singles and doubles events.

The singles matches highlighted Wiltshire’s determination and tactical awareness. Players displayed excellent movement, patience in the rallies, and the ability to convert crucial points under pressure. Several games went the full distance, and Wiltshire’s willingness to fight for every shuttle was rewarded with important wins that stretched the overall lead.

Level doubles produced some of the most exciting badminton of the day. There were fast-paced exchanges, strong defensive efforts, and great teamwork from both counties. Gloucestershire pushed hard and claimed a number of well-deserved rubbers, but Wiltshire maintained control by staying disciplined in their pairings and communicating effectively on court.

Just as impressive as the results was the team spirit shown throughout the fixture. Players supported one another, celebrated successes together, and encouraged teammates during tight moments. The positive atmosphere courtside reflected a group who are developing not only technically, but also in maturity and sportsmanship.

Coach’s Comment

The coaches were extremely proud of the team’s performance, highlighting the effort and attitude shown across all matches. The players demonstrated real desire to compete, worked hard for every point, and most importantly played as a team from start to finish. This collective approach was a key factor in securing the 14-6 win.

Overall, this was a very encouraging result for Wiltshire U17s, showcasing progress, commitment, and depth within the squad. The players can take great confidence from this performance as they continue their season.

Our First team played their second round of matches at Cranleigh last weekend. They won both their matches -  against Suffolk 1 7-4  and Essex 2 6-5. They won all the singles and just enough doubles to get the wins. They now sit second in the table with a good chance of promotion.

Wiltshire Junior Restricted Tournament 

Kindly sponsored by Marshall Motors, Salisbury

Held on 25th January 2026, we're delighted to say that the tournament broke all previous attendance records!  Congratulations to all who entered, all players worked very hard,  drawing compliments from other sports centre visitors who stopped to watch them play.

We hope that everybody enjoyed the day and has been motivated to enter again and encourage their friends to do likewise.   More players leads to better competition and more opportunity for development. 

Results below, names in bold are County players.

UNDER 11

Girls Doubles

1st :- Selina Allwin & Nirvaana Vushkamalla

2nd :- Aya Harish Kumar & Riona Pennada

3rd :- Havisha Rimmalapudi & Pravarshini Sreya Vatala

4th :- Aaravi Rai & Sayana Rokamagar

Girls Singles

1st :- Selina Allwin

2nd :- Aya Harish Kumar

3rd = :- Riona Pennada & Aaravi Rai

Boys Singles

1st :- Finlay Wisher-Davies

2nd :- Jovan Allwin

UNDER 13

Girls Doubles

1st :- Emma Ovenden & Nevaashini S

2nd :- Jovan Allwin & Finlay Wisher-Davies

3rd :- Jashwi Kiran & Eshitakanth Thirukovaluru

Boys Doubles

1st :- Joshua Springhall & Frank Watson

2nd :- Dhyan Karthik & Vivan Stalin

3rd :- Zach Mole & Miles Thompson-Boyce

4th :- Dex Clavell & Nandu Padmaraj

Girls Singles

1st :- Nirvaana Vushkamalla

2nd :- Emma Ovenden

3rd :- Nevaashini S

Boys Singles

1st :- Vivaan Stalin

2nd :- Frank Watson

3rd = :- Zach Mole & Dhyan Karthik

UNDER 15

Boys Doubles

1st :- Aarush Rai & Hugo Voon

2nd :- William Hole & Oscar Thornton-Norris

3rd :- Ish Ananth Dudam & Sreeyan Pai

4th :- Charlie Adams & Ben Hardie

Mixed Doubles

1st :- Vivaan Stalin & Emma Ovenden

2nd :- Dhyan Karthik & Nirvaana Vushkamalla

3rd :- Sreeyan Pai & Nevaashini S

Girls Singles

1st :- Imogen Hackney

2nd :- Neeva Patel

3rd :- Eshitakanth Thirukovaluru

Boys Singles

1st :- Hugo Voon

2nd :- Aarush Rai

3rd = :- Ish Ananth Dudam & Sreeyan Pai

UNDER 17

Girls Doubles

1st :- Imogen Hackney & Nihira Racharla

2nd :- Marissa Ambridge & Emily Lam

Boys Doubles

1st :- Vedaanta Raghuvanshi & Benedict Vaughan

2nd :- Joseph Hackney & Conall King

3rd = :- Anthony Cheng & Joe Robertson

3rd = :- Finlay Humphrey & Matthew O’Callaghan

Mixed Doubles

1st :- Vedaanta Raghuvanshi & Nihira Racharla

2nd :- Joseph Hackney & Imogen Hackney

3rd :- Finlay Humphrey & Keira Waterworth

Girls Singles

1st :- Nihira Racharla

2nd :- Emily Lam

3rd :- Keira Waterworth

4th :- Daisy Southall

Boys Singles

1st :- Vedaanta Raghuvanshi

2nd :- Benedict Vaughan

3rd = :- Conall King & Joseph Hackney.